Australia-based aeromedical service LifeFlight has completed another record-breaking financial year, coming to the aid of 6,825 people.

"We're proud to make a difference in the lives of so many people, including those in rural and regional Queensland, by being ready to respond 24/7, 365 days a year," says general manager of operations Brian Guthrie. "We provide a critical service and high level of pre-hospital care to anyone who needs it, and that world-class care comes at no cost to patients."

During the 2021-2022 financial year, LifeFlight Rescue's helicopter fleet was called upon to be part of the multi-agency emergency response efforts, during three separate catastrophic flood events.

"Queenslanders were challenged this year with really difficult situations, particularly with the floods. We saw a number of floods that we had to deal with, and the versatility of our crews was second to none. We were able to respond to numerous rescue calls, but also when we're out there we are seeing so much more happening and are looking to respond to others at the same time. So it's a really difficult time for our crew, and what we really rely on is their ability to make great judgement calls and draw on their experience and skill set to get everyone to safety where possible," adds Guthrie.

LifeFlight's Brisbane-based chopper clocked up the highest number of flying hours of the service's rotary wing fleet, spending 1,126 hours in the air and resulting in 474 people helped. Those critical missions had an estimated cost of $11.85 million, which comes at no cost to the patient.

In the past 12 months, the LifeFlight Rescue Challenger 604 air ambulance jet crews, based in Brisbane and Townsville, came to the aid of 432 people.

"The air ambulance jets are there to help people in rural and remote communities, to bring people in their time of need to tertiary hospitals to a greater level of care. Our pilots, doctors and nurses are always on standby to help people, no matter where or when," says LifeFlight retrieval medicine and fixed wing general manager Tim McGuire.

In yet another financial year record, 213 of these people were airlifted by the Brisbane-based jet, while 219 were flown by the Townsville crews.

"Our jets are tasked domestically and internationally by insurance agencies, assistance companies, private clients and, of course, by Queensland Health," adds McGuire. "Our domestic taskings for Queensland Health vary from day to day, but the majority of cases are for people in live rural and remote areas who need that extra level of care."

LifeFlight's air ambulance jets have played a significant role in ensuring the Queensland Government has been able to deliver a statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

McGuire continues: "It's been a very busy year with our partner, Queensland Health. From our two bases in Townsville and Brisbane, we were servicing Queensland Health nearly every day. Our Brisbane base was online on full standby for Queensland Health for COVID positive patients coming to and from Brisbane for a higher level of care for COVID."